When the American colonists broke the bonds with England in 1776, our founders crafted a vision of liberty quite distinct from King George’s version of governance. The founders believed that individuals, not the state, could chart their own destinies via self-rule. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives to build a new nation, and they gradually created a farsighted Constitution.

In the present era of big government, it’s important to remember that America was forged on the principle of individual liberty. Free individuals cannot only seek opportunities, but also create opportunities.

Freedom is an inherent, natural right that can neither be granted, nor withdrawn by others. Yet it must be developed, nurtured and protected in order to flourish. Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” If we fall asleep at the switch, we could witness an erosion of our liberties.

History informs us that we can be free only if we refrain from abridging the rights of other law-abiding folks. That is the underlying idea that drives our civic virtues and the social contract. In a democracy, liberty is such a basic part of our existence that sometimes we can forget how valuable it is.

I absorbed this reality on trips to autocratic nations, as well as in conversations with people who had fled from authoritarian regimes in Cambodia, Cuba, Uganda and Vietnam. It’s extremely difficult to use talents, or maximize potential, in states that muzzle freedom. By contrast, in a free-enterprise system individuals can achieve big goals through hard work.

Free people can transcend mere survival mode in order to voluntarily shape a generous society that is a shining example to the world. Although our federal government is now far more intrusive than our founders envisioned, the United States remains a dynamic and free country. May the light of freedom reach into the totalitarian nations, where people hunger and thirst for hope and opportunity.

Christian P. Milord

Fullerton

A jubilant birthday

The vote for declaring independence was carried by 12 of the 13 colonies on July 2, 1776. John Adams wrote jubilantly to his wife:

“Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps never was nor will be decided among men … The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated in the succeeding generations as the great Anniversary Festival.”

July 3 was spent reading and discussing the text of the Declaration that Jefferson had prepared, and it was adopted by a unanimous vote of 13 colonies. It was signed by John Hancock as president of the Congress and Charles Thomson, as the secretary, on July 4, 1776.

Thus, we honor our country – “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all’

Happy Birthday, America.

Martha Treadway

Garden Grove

Ideals worth fighting for

The Declaration of Independence should be cherished as something so special, so spiritual and something so fought for from that fateful day in 1776.

Fifty-six men signed their name to that document and committed an act of treason by doing so. Those men laid the foundation for all of us. Since then we have fought to protect that document and our way of life.

Personally, on this day I dedicate my thoughts to remembering those who have put their life on the line to protect those rights I have. It is because of them, the original 56 and all those who have or are wearing a uniform, that I can live my life here in this beautiful United States of America. It is because of them, all of them, that I can write this in the first place. And it is because of them that I shall always be faithful to the United States of America. Semper Fi.

Robert Olson

San Clemente

Heavy-handed governance

July 4, 1776, marked the day our forefathers signed to declare their colonies able to govern themselves – free from oppressive government. Twelve years later these visionary men set up a generalized Constitution freeing the individual from his neighbors, the group, the privileged and the government.

Over the ensuing 234 years government has slowly increased authority over the states and the people. From a free enterprise, laissez-faire capitalist beginning we have become a socially engineered (socialist) country, with government controlling, among many other things, education, health care and the economy.

The wars we’ve fought to preserve our freedom from domestic and foreign governments have failed to protect it. Instead, we have opted for false promises of professional politicians whose sole purpose is power.

In celebrating July Fourth, we must consider its meaning and true promise and rid our government of its usurpers.

Gary Reeves

Laguna Niguel

•••

Our founders would be ashamed of what we have done to the country they sacrificed so much to give us. When they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, they meant it.

They envisioned a republic that would protect our freedoms, not limit them. Does anyone seriously think that the patriots who tossed the tea into Boston’s harbor would believe that we now let our government take so much of everything we make as taxes? They would be positively embarrassed that we have allowed this to happen.

Further, they would be stunned by the power we have let our government assume over us in our day-to-day lives. Our founders were proud men, self-made men, who would never look to the government to do for them what they could do for themselves. To see what we have become would break their hearts. We have not lived up to the legacy they fought so hard to leave us.

Nicholas Wishek

Fountain Valley

Send politicians a message

I have attended the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade for more than 35 years. Many political administrations have come and gone but none are as bad as the present one. Although I feel fortunate to live in this country I don’t feel so good about how much debt we have and the direction our country is going. Nor am I, as a veteran, happy that our nation’s leader apologizes and demonizes our country whenever he has the chance.

Therefore, I will attend this year’s events and let my elected officials in the parade know how disappointed I am with them.

November elections are just around the corner.

Michael Beatty

Huntington Beach

Everyone’s inheritance

I would guess that most Americans haven’t read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States of America since they left high school. I would encourage every one of us to grab printed copies of both documents and take the time to read, digest and understand them. I carry a copy of both with me every day.

These written words are subject to individual interpretation. Ponder the nuance of each word, the structure of the sentences, the syntax, the grammar. Keep in mind that not only are you reading an outline of our founding fathers’ collective wishes and aspirations toward the formation of a just and vital nation, but also the renderings of men, not gods. They were imperfect humans, slave owners, businessmen … the elite strata of a new society. Their context was not the same as ours, but their efforts will inspire you.

The Declaration and Constitution are not Republican or Democratic, not conservative or liberal, not religious or atheist. They are uniquely American, and that’s enough for me.

Bob Macias

Mission Viejo

‘My favorite place’

Recently, Diane Canup, first-grade teacher at Don Juan Avila elementary school in Aliso Viejo asked the students to write about his or her favorite place to be. She sent my grandson’s paper home with this note: “Mr. and Mrs. Cutkomp; Joshua completed this writing assignment in class all by himself. It is very touching and I wanted to share it with you! I wish I knew a contest to enter it in.” He wrote:

“America is my favorite place to be. It is a home for me. It is a nice place for me. It is a playhouse for me. It is the very, very, very best place for me. I like it. I love it. It even has God for me. The wars we fought we won. When you see our flag we are still here. America is like a jacket, it warms me and best of all it gives us all food, water and survival. I like it because it is beautiful and it is my home” – Joshua Cutkomp, age 6 1/2.

Patricia Cutkomp

Laguna Woods

Keep Liberty Bell ringing

The Liberty Bell has been a symbol of freedom throughout the world. The current regime is placing a muffler on the clapper that must be removed.

Let freedom ring.

N.J. Brunner

Orange

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